Sprinkler flow control method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A device for distributing pressurized water to a plurality of sprinkler lines is provided. The valve and valve control portions are centralized, and thus no electrical connection to remote locations is required. The valve system is modular so as to permit addition or deletion of modules for adding or removing control of sprinkler lines. A stepper motor and cam shaft system permits expenditure of energy only during change-of-state events, so that no electrical energy need be consumed to maintain a watering state. A generator which produces electrical energy from the pressure head of a pressurized water source provides electrical energy for operating a motor and a motor controller, such as a device including a microprocessor.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/460,427 filed Jan. 3,1990, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to the control of water flow tosprinkler and sprinkler lines and, in particular, to a centralized flowcontrol apparatus and method without remote electrical lines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of systems are used for controlling water flow toremotely-positioned sprinklers or sprinkler lines, e.g., for wateringlawns, golf courses, agricultural fields, and the like. In typicalprevious systems, a timer device was provided to output electricalsignals at predetermined times. These electrical signals were routedthrough cables to solenoid-controlled valves positioned in the remotelocations. Each solenoid-controlled valve connected a water supply lineto one or more sprinklers or sprinkler lines. When the electrical signalactivated a solenoid-controlled valve, the valve opened to connect thepressurized water source to the sprinkler or sprinkler line.

Typically, the power needed to open and/or hold open a solenoid valvewas provided through the cable originating in the timer device. Thelarge amount of power needed to open or hold open thesolenoid-controlled valve typically required that the timer device havea source of medium to high voltage electrical power, such as a 24 voltsupply, which may be stepped-down from a 110 volt AC (household) powersource. Typically, the timer could be configured to operate the varioussolenoid valves at different preselected times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes the recognition of various problems anddifficulties of previous devices. Many previous devices required thateach remote sprinkler location or sprinkler line be connected to both asource of water and the centralized timer by, for example, an electricalcable or wire. Providing an electrical path to the remote locations, inaddition to the water line, is an expensive procedure, particularlybecause it is usually necessary to protect the electrical cable fromhazards, such as rodents or other burrowing animals and standing watertypically present during sprinkling.

Because the remote locations include electrical components and valves,the cost of remote maintenance is high, compared to maintenance costsfor simple plumbing connections.

When control functions are allocated to each sprinkler or sprinklerline, the components used in the remote locations, such as valves andvalve controllers, are relatively expensive. The high cost ofsolenoid-controlled valves often results in a single solenoid-controlledvalve being used to control a large number of sprinklers. For example, asingle solenoid valve may be used to control three sprinkler lines,which also will require a relatively expensive three-way manifold forthe water supply line. Using a single solenoid-controlled valve tocontrol a large number of sprinklers leads to several undesirableresults. As the number of sprinklers which are on at any one time isincreased, the water pressure available to each sprinkler is lessened,which can lead to under-watering when the pressure of the water supplyline is low. Further, because sprinklers controlled by a single valveare likely to be adjacent, certain regions can become quickly saturatedso that continued sprinkling results in water run-off and waste.

Because of the large power consumption of previous systems, such systemsare typically dependent on the availability of a source of householdelectrical current. For this reason, sprinkler-control installations inareas such as freeway medians or shoulders and golf courses areexpensive because electrical power wiring must be provided to thecentral timer device. Additionally, power outages in the voltage supplylines can disrupt the planned watering schedules.

The present invention includes a centralized control system in which allof the timing, control, and valving occur in a central location. In thisway, the only necessary connection from the central location to theremote stations is a water line; no electrical wiring or cable need beprovided between the central location and the remote locations.

The present invention also includes independence from external sourcesof electrical power. In one embodiment, the pressure head from thepressurized water line is used in operating the valves and/or timingdevices. In this way, sprinkler-controlled systems can be provided inlocations where it is expensive or impractical to string electricalpower lines.

The embodiment of the present invention which employs the pressure headof the pressurized water source also includes providing for a controland valving system which consumes little power, so that the pressuredrop resulting from power generation still leaves sufficient waterpressure to provide the desired sprinkling. Power consumption is reducedby eliminating solenoid-controlled valves and using, instead, pilotvalves which are operated, at least in part, directly using the pressurehead of the pressurized water source. Power consumption is also reducedby using a valve control mechanism which consumes power only during achange of state, so that it is not necessary to continuously consumepower during sprinkling.

Preferably, an electric stepper motor selectably rotates a cam shaftoperating bleed valves which control pilot valves which, in turn,control the flow valves. Electrical power for the stepper motor and fora programmable controlling computer is, in one embodiment, generated bya turbine generator from the pressure head of the pressurized watersource, and stored in a storage battery. To minimize loss of thepressure head, the flow through the turbine is reduced after the turbinehas accelerated to a relatively constant rotational velocity.

The present invention also includes providing a system which is modularin nature, so that additional sprinklers or sprinkler lines can becontrolled by merely connecting an additional module to the centralcontrol device.

The present invention also includes a union joint for connecting pipestogether in which the plane, defined by the joints between the pipes, isnot perpendicular to the common axes of the pipes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram depicting aspects of previouscontrol systems;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a sprinkler-controller systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram generally corresponding to FIG. 2,but showing more detailed aspects of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A1 and 3A2 are schematic block diagrams similar to FIG. 3, butshowing alternative embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the flow connections between componentsaccording to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the generator unit of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through an upper valve unit and controlunit according to the present invention, showing the flow valve in aclosed position and belville springs on the pilot valve;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view generally corresponding to FIG. 7, butshowing the flow valve in an opened configuration and belville springson the flow valve;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the control unit according tothe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of manifold plates for the centralcontrol unit;

FIG. 10 depicts a rain-moisture detection unit and control unit housingaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the control unit of the presentinvention showing a housing therefor in cross-section; and

FIG. 12A is a top view of an angled union joint, according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 12B is a cross-section taken along line 12B--12B of FIG. 12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The sprinkler-water distribution device of the present inventionincludes a device which is centralized, i.e., in which the valves andvalve control for all of the various sprinkler lines are located in acentral location, and in which the only connection needed between thecentral location and the remote sprinkler lines are the water pipescarrying pressurized water from the central location to the varioussprinkler lines. The device of the present invention is independent fromexternal electric power sources, i.e., all electric power needed foroperation of the device is generated (e.g., from the pressure head ofthe pressurized water source and/or solar photovoltage cells).

The device of the present invention is modular, i.e., the number ofsprinkler lines controllable by the device can be increased by addingone or more substantially identical modules, each having the valves andcontrol mechanisms necessary for controlling an additional controlledsprinkler line.

An understanding of the present invention will be assisted by providinga brief description of certain aspects of previously available devices.As depicted in FIG. 1, a typical sprinkler system includes a remoteportion 12' and a second portion 14'. The remote portion 12' includesthe parts of the system which are located at or adjacent to the area tobe sprinkled and, typically, includes the sprinkler lines 16'a, 16'b andsolenoid-controlled valves 18'a, 18'b for controlling flow of water froma pressurized water source 22' through the solenoid-controlled valves18'a, 18'b to the respective sprinkler lines 16'a, 16'b. The timing ofthe opening and closing of the solenoid valves 18!a, 18'b is controlledby a timer 24', typically an electrical timer, located in the secondportion 14' and communicating with the solenoid valves 18'a, 18'b overelectric cables 26'a, 26'b. Typically, the amount of power consumed bythe solenoid valves 18'a, 18'b, as well as the power consumed by thetimer 24', requires a moderate- to high-voltage electric power source,such as a 24 volt source, stepped down from a 110 volt AC householdpower source 28' by a transformer 29'. The previous devices depicted inFIG. 1 are not centralized because portions of the control mechanism,such as the solenoid valve 18'a, 18'b, are located in the remote portion12' of the system. It is thus necessary to provide two types of lines tothe remote portion 12': a pressurized water line 32' and electric cablesor lines 26'a, 26'b Providing both types of lines 32', 26' is anexpensive proposition, particularly when the remote site 12' is spreadover a large area. The system depicted in FIG. 1 is not modular becauseproviding an additional controlled sprinkler line cannot be accomplishedentirely at the second location 14', but must also include providingadditional control portions at the remote location 12', viz., anadditional solenoid-control valve 18'.

FIG. 2 depicts a sprinkler system according to the present invention. Asin FIG. 1, the system includes a portion which is located at the remotesite 12. In the present case, however, no control devices are present atthe remote sites 12. Rather, the remote sites need only include thesprinkler lines themselves, 16a, 16b, and the only connection requiredbetween the other portions of the system 14 and the remote site 12 arewater lines 34a, 34b. The control section of the system shown in FIG. 2is entirely located in a central location 14. The flow of water throughthe water lines 34a, 34b are controlled by flow valves 36a, 36b. Theflow valves 36 have a nominal size, typically 3/4 inch, 1 inch, or 11/4inch. The flow of the main portion of pressurized water is depicted inFIG. 2 by solid lines. A pressurized water line 32 provides pressurizedwater to the flow valves 36a, 36b (preferably by way of a generator, asdepicted in FIG. 3 and discussed more fully below). The flow valves,when opened, permit flow of the pressurized water through the respectivewater lines 34a, 34b to the sprinkler lines 16a, 16b. Opening andclosing of the flow valves 36a, 36b is controlled by a valve controller38, to be more fully described below. In FIGS. 2 and 3, dashed-arrowsindicate a control relationship running from the controller device tothe controlled device. Preferably, the valve controller 38 includes ahydraulic system, and thus obtains a certain portion of the pressurizedwater from the pressurized water line 32 by way of a control fluid line42. Flow of the control fluid is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 bydotted-arrows. Control fluid exiting the valve controller 38 is conveyedby a bleed line 44, preferably to be recycled, as described more fullybelow. Portions of the valve controller 38 are powered by a motor 46.The transmission of power in FIG. 2 is depicted by dash/dot arrowsrunning from the power source to the power consumer. The motor 46 iscontrolled by a motor controller 48, preferably including a programmablemicroprocessor, as described more fully below. Both the motor 46 andmotor controller 48 receive power from an electric power source 52. Inthe preferred embodiment, the electric power source 52 is self-containedin the sense that it does not require externally-generated electricpower, such as household electric current.

FIG. 3 depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention insomewhat more detail. As depicted in FIG. 3, the valve controller 38includes a plurality of components. A cam shaft 54, driven by the motor46, controls the opening and closing of a plurality of bleed valves 56a,56b, 56c. The bleed valves 56a, 56b, 56c, in turn, control the operationof pilot valves 58a, 58b, 58c, as described more fully below. At leastsome of the pilot valves 58b, 58c, in turn, control the flow valves 36a,36b, as described more fully below. Preferably, one bleed valve 56a andpilot valve 58a control a backflush valve 62 for backflushing a waterfilter 64, as described more fully below.

Preferably, the main source of power in the electric power source 52 isa generator 66, which generates electric power using the pressure headof the pressurized water 22. Typically, the pressurized water 22 will beordinary city utility water, usually having a pressure in the range of40-80 lbs./in.² (PSI) (about 275 kPa to about 400 kPa). The generator 66is preferably a fixed-vane impulse turbine generator. The electric powerfrom the generator 66 is preferably stored in an electric power storagedevice, such as a battery 68. Other sources of electric power can beprovided to supplement or replace the generator 66, such as by solarphotovoltage cells 72. Power from the electric power source 52 isprovided to the motor 46 and the motor controller 48. As depicted inFIG. 3, motor controller 48 preferably includes an electronic computer74 having a microprocessor (not shown).

In one preferred embodiment, the computer 74 can adjust the activationor timing of the motor 46, depending upon the amount of moisture sensedby a moisture sensor 76. Preferably, the moisture sensor 76 sensesmoisture from precipitation which is typically related to, andpreferably calibrated with, the general amount of ground moisture in theremote region 12 being sprinkled.

The computer 74 is programmable to provide a predetermined wateringschedule over an extended period, preferably a period greater than oneyear. The computer preferably contains or is connected to an electroniccalendar and time clock, in a manner well known in the computer art, forproviding this feature. In one preferred embodiment, the computer hasthe capability of being programmed for a period of about 30 years. Thepredetermined water schedule which is programmed can be programmed insuch a way that any two consecutive days in the preprogrammed period canhave different watering schedules. Consecutive days can also haveidentical watering schedules.

Preferably, the computer can be programmed to provide a pulsed wateringschedule. A pulsed watering schedule is one in which a given sprinkleris activated for watering for a first, relatively short, period,followed by a period of non-watering, and followed, again, by anotherrelatively short period of watering. As an example, 10 seconds ofwatering, followed by 50 seconds of non-watering, could be repeated foran extended period, such as up to 200 times or more in 24 hours. Pulsedwatering is particularly useful in conserving water. As noted above,previous watering schemes, being limited by power considerations,typically provide activation of a given sprinkler for one extendedperiod. This type of watering often results in surface pooling orflooding and subsequent runoff of the water from the desired area intoan adjacent area. The inefficiency of this type of watering scheme isavoided by the pulsed watering scheme made feasible by the presentinvention.

FIG. 3A depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention.According to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A, the computer 74 is usedfor controlling two sets of sprinkler lines. Thus, in addition toproviding a control signal for controlling the motor 46 of the firstnon-remote portion 14, the computer 74 also provides signals which areused to control a motor 46' provided in a second non-remote portion 14'.The second non-remote portion 14' includes, in addition to the motor46', a valve controller 38' similar to the above-described valvecontroller 38', flow valves 36', similar to the above-described flowvalves 36, and water lines 34 for connection to a second set ofsprinkler lines 12'. The bleed line 44', which exits the valvecontroller 38', preferably is conducted to a Venturi device 86' similarto that described below in connection with FIG. 5. A water line 88'provides a source of water to the second non-remote location 14'.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A is useful when, as is commonly thecase, the computer 74 has sufficient computing capability to control alarger number of flow valves 36 than is desired to be contained in onenon-remote location 14. Thus, when the computer 74 is capable ofcontrolling 32 flow valves, and when each non-remote location 14contains eight flow valves, the computer 74 can be used in connectionwith four separate, non-remote locations 14. The configuration depictedin FIG. 3A requires that a signal line extend from the first non-remotelocation 14 to the second non-remote location 14'. However, the linewhich carries such a signal is typically a lower-voltage line than theelectric lines 26' connecting a non-remote location 14' to a remotelocation 12' in previous devices. Furthermore, although the signal lineconnects two non-remote locations 14, 14', there is no need for a signalline extending to any of the remote locations 12, 12'.

FIG. 4 depicts a system according to the present invention having amodular configuration. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, sixteenmodules are provided. Such a configuration could be used to provideseparate flow control for up to sixteen sprinkler lines 16f. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 4, however, two of the sixteen flow valvesare used for special purposes. One of the flow valves 62 is used as abackflush valve. Another of the valves 78 is used as an in-flow controlvalve, described more fully below. The remaining valves 36a-36n controlflow of pressurized water through water lines 34a-34n to the varioussprinkler lines connected thereto (only sprinkler line 16f is shown).The flow valves 36a-36n, backflush valve 62, and in-flow control valve78 are controlled by pilot valves 58a-58p, respectively. The pilotvalves 58a-58p are, in turn, controlled by flow of water through bleedvalves 56a-56p connected to the pilot valves 58a-58p by control fluidlines 82a-82p, respectively. Control fluid passing through the bleedvalves 56a-56p is connected by bleed line 44, after passing through ableed check valve 84, to the input of a Venturi nozzle 86. Pressurizedwater from the generator feed line 88, passing through the Venturinozzle 86, creates a low pressure sufficient to draw the bleed fluidfrom the bleed line 44 into the generator 66 so that the bleed water isrecycled.

Opening and closing of the bleed valves 56a-56p are controlled by a camshaft 54. The cam shaft 54 has connected to it a plurality of cams,e.g., 126a-126c, 126k-126n. Preferably, the cams 126 can be added to orremoved from the cam shaft 54, and can be adjusted in relativerotational position to adjust the timing or order of water flow, asdescribed more fully below. The cam shaft 54 is connected, via acontrollable clutch 128 and gear box 132 to a controllable stepper motor46. A manual advance mechanism is provided for manually advancing thecam shaft to activate or deactivate a desired sprinkler line 16 byrotation of the manual advance dial 134.

As can be understood from FIG. 4, more or fewer sprinkler lines 16f canbe controlled by adding or deleting control modules. Such a controlmodule includes a flow valve, e.g., 36a, and its associated pilot valve58a, bleed valve 56a, and the corresponding cam of the cam shaft 54. Itcan thus be seen that in order to provide for control of an additionalsprinkler line 16, the only changes needed to the system are theprovision of an additional module, as described above, and connection ofthe output from the new module to a flow line 34 for connection to thenew sprinkler line 16. No new control equipment need be provided at theremote location 12 when such a module is added in the centralizedcontrol region 14. In one preferred embodiment, the individual modulesare connected together by a threaded rod and one or more wing nuts 137a,137b to provide for ease of addition or deletion of modules.

Water from the pressurized water source, such as the water main 22,passes through a stopcock 92 and, during normal operation, the majorportion is eventually introduced into the generator 66. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the pressurized water is first introducedinto the in-flow control valve 78. The in-flow control valve 78 is anormally opened valve, and can be used to terminate flow of water intothe generator 66, as desired. The inflow valve 78 will be closed whenthe unit is not running. The pressurized water, after exiting thein-flow control valve 78, passes through a filter 64. The filter 64 isdesigned to remove particulates from the pressurized water, which mightotherwise clog, abrade, or otherwise interfere with the operation of thegenerator 66, valves 36, or valve control mechanism 38, which come intocontact with the water.

As noted above, a portion of the pressurized water introduced into thegenerator feed line passes through the Venturi nozzle 86. The major partof the water from the generator feed line 88 passes into the feedchamber 94 of the generator 66. The output from the Venturi nozzle 86,as well as the entrained bleed water, also passes into the feed chamber94.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the feed chamber 94 has two types of exits. Jetnozzle, exits 96a, 96b are always opened so that whenever pressurizedwater is present in the feed chamber 94, the water passes through thejet nozzles 96 to form jets which impact the impeller blades 98 of thegenerator 66, causing rotation of the generator shaft 102. The otherexit from the feed chamber 94 is a set of bypass conduits 104 (FIG. 5),closable via bypass valves 106 in a manner described more fully below.

Water which exits from the feed chamber 94, either through the jetnozzles 96 or the bypass conduits 104, enters the rotor chamber 108.From the rotor chamber 108, the water enters a plenum 112 (FIG. 3),which is comprised of four conduits 114a-114d (FIG. 4). The conduits114a-114d are in fluid communication with both the flow valves 36a-36nand the associated pilot valves 58a-58n, as described more fully below.The conduits 114a, 114c are separated from the inflow and backflushvalves 78, 62 by baffles.

After the filter 64 has been used for removing particulates for someperiod of time, it will have to be cleaned or replaced to avoid cloggingthe system. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 provides for automaticbackflushing (i.e., controlled by the centralized control station 14) ofthe filter 64 for cleaning thereof. According to the automatic backflushsystem, a backflush conduit 116 connects the pressurized water line 32to the housing for the filter 64 to provide for flow in a directionopposite that of the normal flow of water through the filter 64 duringfiltration by closing the normally-open inflow valve 78. An interveningbackflow check valve 118 prevents entry of unfiltered water into thegenerator 66 during non-backflush periods. Reverse flow of backflushwater through the filter 64 is controlled by a backflush valve 62,preferably substantially similar to the flow valves 36, which isconnected to the backflush outflow conduit 122. Outflow from thebackflush valve 62 containing the effluent from the filter backflush canbe treated as waste or, preferably, as depicted in FIG. 4, directed to auseful purpose, such as a tree-watering system 124.

FIG. 5 depicts the generator 66 of the invention in greater detail. Thewater inlet 88 containing pressurized water communicates with a Venturinozzle 86 for drawing bleed water from the bleed line 44 and entrainingthe bleed water into the rotor chamber 108. The major portion of thefeed water first enters the feed chamber 94a, 94b, 94c. A portion of thepressurized water in the feed chamber 94a, 94b, 94c is conducted by jetnozzles 96a, 96b, 96c to impact on the impeller blades 98, causingrotation of the generator shaft 102.

A certain amount of the pressure head from the pressurized water supply88 is expended in causing rotation of the generator shaft 102. Becauseof the work done by the pressurized water in rotating the shaft 102,there is some resistance to flow in the feed chamber 94 which can beconsidered as a back pressure. The pressure in the feed chamber 94 canthus be considered as the pressure of the pressurized water 88 less theback pressure, representing resistance to flow. The amount of backpressure is directly related to the amount of work being done inrotating the shaft 102. The work which is expended can be attributed toboth the rotational mass inertia of the rotor 102 and armature 136, aswell as the braking effect of the generator. The amount of work expendedduring initial rotational acceleration of the shaft 102 is greater thanthe work expended in order to maintain the shaft 102 at a substantiallyconstant rotational velocity. Accordingly, the back pressure is greatestduring acceleration, and comes becomes less after the accelerationphase. For this reason, the total pressure in the feed chamber 94 isless during the acceleration phase (because of the large back pressure)than during the rotation-maintenance phase.

Bypass valves 106a, 106b are urged into a sealing relationship withrespect to bypass conduits 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d by bypass valvesprings 138a, 138b. The closing force provided by the springs 138a, 13bis of a magnitude against the pressure in the feed chamber 94 during theinitial (acceleration) phase, but are overcome and opened by theincreased pressure in the feed chamber 94 during therotation-maintenance phase. In this way, substantially the entirepressure head in the feed chamber 94 can be used for powering thegenerator during the acceleration phase, but only a portion of thepressure head and a portion of the flow are used for rotating thegenerator shaft 102 during the rotation-maintenance phase of generatoroperation. By permitting bypass flow, pressure head loss during transitthrough the generator 66 is reduced during the rotation-maintenancephase, compared to the pressure head loss that would be experienced ifno bypass was provided.

Water from the rotor chamber 108 is transmitted to the conduits 114a,114b, 114c, 114d. The generator armature 136 is sealed from thegenerator stator 144. The power generated is transmitted by a wire 146to the battery 68.

FIG. 6 depicts in greater detail a control module, including a flowvalve 36, pilot valve 58, bleed valve 56, and associated cam 126 and camfollower 148. Pressurized water enters through the conduit 114d and iscontained in an entrance chamber 152. The flow valve 36, shown in FIG. 6in the closed configuration, controls flow of pressurized water from theentrance chamber 152 to the water line 34. The entrance chamber 152 isalso in fluid communication, through a filter 154 via a conduit 156,with a pressure chamber 158, which is adjacent the pilot valve 58. Fluidcommunication with the pressure chamber 158 occurs by way of a ringorifice 162, defined between the opening of a center guide member 164and a needle guide 166 attached to the pilot valve 58. The combinationof the center guide member 164 and needle guide 166 forms aself-cleaning structure. As the needle 166 moves vertically with respectto the guide 164, small particles, which found their way through thefilter 154, are scraped from the needle 166 to prevent adherencethereto. Preferably, the ring orifice 162 has a diameter of about 0.07inches (about 1.75 millimeters) and the needle 166 has a diameter ofabout 0.06 inches (about 1.5 millimeters).

The opening of the center guide member 164 is in fluid communicationwith the conduit 156. The pressure chamber 158 is separated from theregion 168 above the pilot valve 58 by a rolling diaphragm member 172.Although other sealing devices are conceivable, the rolling diaphragmmember 172 is provided in order to avoid blow-out, which could resultwith other devices since this sealing member is subjected to the fullpressure of the water in the pressure chamber 158. The rolling diaphragmis particularly useful in a device, such as that shown in FIG. 6, inwhich the pilot valve 58 has a relatively long stroke. If asubstantially flat diaphragm were used, in order to accommodate a longstroke, the diaphragm would have to have a large diameter, and thedevice would not be as compact as that shown in FIG. 6. The device shownin FIG. 6 requires a relatively long stroke because of the mechanicaladvantage provided by the lever 174. Furthermore, a flat diaphragm hassubstantially its entire surface exposed to a relatively high pressure,whereas only a small portion (i.e., the bent portion) of the rollingdiaphragm experiences a pressure differential when the pressure chamber158 is pressurized, with the remainder of the rolling diaphragm beingsupported or backed up, as described below.

The diameter of the cylinder for the pilot valve 58 is less than orequal to the flow valve diameter 36. Interconnection between the pilotvalve 58 and flow valve 36 is made using the lever 174, which pivotsabout a pivot stud 176. A helical spring 188 biases the lever 174 towardthe configuration depicted in FIG. 6. The lever 174 has a first arm 178which contacts the flow valve 36, and a second arm 182 which isoperatively connected to the pilot valve 58. In order to provide thedesired mechanical advantage, the moment arm of the lever portion whichfollows the movement of the pilot valve 182 is longer than that of thesecond portion of the lever 178, and, correspondingly, the travel ofthat portion 182 is longer in order to provide the desired mechanicaladvantage.

As the flow valve 36 is used, the valve seat 36a will undergo normalwear. As the valve seat 36a wears, the valve 36 must be depressed acorresponding amount in order to maintain a seal in the closed positiondepicted in FIG. 6. As the valve seat 36a wears, resulting in anincreasingly depressed flow valve 36, some device must be provided toproduce a corresponding increase in the stroke of the pilot valve inorder to position the flow valve 36 in the increasingly depressedposition. One possible solution, which is not the preferred solution inthe present invention, is to configure the pilot valve 58 so that whenthe pilot valve 58 is in the uppermost position, it does not "bottomout" (i.e., the upper rim 58a does not contact the top of the pilotvalve cylinder 206a. In such a non-preferred embodiment, there is somehead room between the pilot rim 58a and the cylinder 206a, which permitsincreased stroke of the pilot valve 58 as the flow valve seat 36a wears.This non-preferred embodiment, however, has at least one difficultyrelated to the rolling diaphragm 172, reducing the chance of blow-out.In the non-preferred embodiment, because the valve 58 does not bottomout, the rolling diaphragm 172 does not lie flush against the wall abovethe diaphragm when the pressure chamber 158 is pressurized. Becausethere is a space above the rolling diaphragm 172, in order for thediaphragm to withstand the pressure of the pressurized chamber 158, therolling diaphragm 172 must be quite strong, usually requiring areinforced diaphragm 172, reducing the chance of a blow-out. Thisconfiguration, although operable, is not preferred because of theexpense of a reinforced diaphragm 172.

The preferred solution to the wear of the flow valve seat 36a is thatdepicted in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the lever 174 does notdirectly contact the pilot valve body 58 but, rather, contacts a plunger184 which, in turn, operates on the pilot valve body 58 by way of aspring 186. A similar configuration is depicted in FIG. 7, except thatthe plunger 184' and spring 186' are connected to the flow valve 36.Although a number of types of springs are operable, the preferred springis a belville spring, which is particularly useful because it providesthe necessary force while taking up little space. As noted above, therolling diaphragm 172 also provides the advantage of taking up littlespace. The preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, therefore, isparticularly useful in many types of sprinkler valves where small volumeand low cost are desirable, e.g., in connection with solenoid valvesfound in previous sprinkler systems. In the configuration depicted inFIG. 6, before there has been substantial wear of the pilot valve seat36a, the belville spring 186 is in a stressed condition when the pilotvalve 58 is in the uppermost position (i.e., is bottomed out). However,as the pilot valve seat 36a wears, the spring 186 is in a somewhatexpanded or less stressed condition because it provides a force to pushthe plunger 184 upward a sufficient amount to compensate for theincreased downward position of the flow valve 36. In this way, the pilotvalve 58 continues to bottom out in the uppermost configuration (thusassuring that the diaphragm 172 will lie flush against the wall above),while still providing sufficient increased stroke to force the flowvalve 36 into a sealing position.

A control fluid line 192 provides fluid communication between thepressure chamber 158 and a second chamber 194. The second chamber 194 isprovided because it facilitates the manufacture of the device. Inparticular, it is relatively difficult to form and properly alignconduits which are long and relatively thin. Therefore, the secondchamber 194, which is more easily formed than a long, thin conduit, isused. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, otherconfigurations are also possible. Exit from the buffer chamber 194 iscontrolled by the bleed valve 56. The bleed valve 56 is urged toward theclosed configuration, depicted in FIG. 6, by a helical spring 196.Connected to the bleed valve 56 is a deflectable finger 198. Thedeflectable finger 198 includes a detent portion forming the camfollower 148. The cam follower 148 is positioned adjacent to the camshaft 54 bearing a plurality of cams, one of which (126) islongitudinally aligned with the finger 198 attached to the bleed valve56.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, a portion of the pressurized water from theentrance chamber 152 is conveyed through the ring aperture 162 into thepressure chamber 158. Because the only route of escape from the pressurechamber 158, namely the bleed valve 56, is closed, the pressure chamber158 will become pressurized. Pressurization of the pressure chamber 158tends to force the pilot valve toward the upward configuration depictedin FIG. 6. In order to be positioned in the upward configurationdepicted in FIG. 6, the force transmitted by the lever 174 to the top ofthe flow valve 36 must be sufficient to overcome the force of thepressurized water in the entrance chamber 152 on the bottom of the flowvalve 36, which tends to open the valve. In the preferred embodiment,the lever 174 has moment arms which give a mechanical advantage to thepilot valve 58, so that the pilot valve 58 is maintained in the upperconfiguration, depicted in FIG. 6, even though the force from thepressure chamber 158 on the bottom of the pilot valve 58 is smallerthan, or does not significantly exceed, the force from the pressurizedwater in the entrance chamber 152 on the bottom of the flow valve 36.

The opening of the flow valve 36 is ultimately controlled by the openingof the bleed valve 56. As depicted in FIG. 7, the bleed valve 56 isopened when the cam shaft 54 rotates to a position such that a cam 126contacts and moves the cam follower 148 of the deflectable finger 198against the urging of the spring 196. This movement opens the valve 56to permit flow from the pressurized chamber 158, through the controlfluid line 192, out the opening 202 of the bleed valve, and through thebleed line 44, preferably for recycling as described above. At the sametime that fluid is leaving the pressure chamber 158 through the fluidcontrol line 192, it is also entering the pressure chamber 158 throughthe conduit 156. However, the ring orifice 162 is sized to control theflow rate such that, for a given pressure of the incoming pressurizedwater through the entrance conduit 114d, the rate of flow into thepressure chamber 158 is no more than the rate of flow out of thepressure chamber 158. For this reason, when the bleed valve 56 opens,the pressure chamber 158 depressurizes.

When the pressure chamber 158 depressurizes, the upward force on thepilot valve is no longer sufficient to overcome the fluid pressure onthe bottom of the flow valve 36. Thus, the flow valve 36 is moved upwardto the configuration depicted in FIG. 7, opening the flow valve 36 topermit outflow of the main portion of the pressurized water through theflow valve 36 and into the water line 34. As seen in FIG. 7, as the flowvalve 36 moves upward, it pivots the lever 174 such that the lever 174pushes the plunger 184 downward, in turn pushing the pilot valve 58downward towards the position depicted in FIG. 7, simultaneouslyunrolling the rolling diaphragm 172. Thus, during operation of the valveunit 206, the pilot valve and flow valve move in different, preferablysubstantially opposite, directions. The maximum opening of the flowvalve can be adjusted by set screws 179a, 179b which limit the excursionof the lever 174. In this way, a relatively small rotation of the camshaft 54 results in a change of state from the closed flow valveconfiguration depicted in FIG. 6 to the opened flow valve configurationdepicted in FIG. 7. Continued electrical energization of the motor 46 orother components is unnecessary to hold the flow valve 36 in the openedconfiguration, since the pressure of the inflowing water is sufficientto maintain the flow valve 36 opened.

After a period of time, the cam shaft 54 is rotated to move the cam 126out of contact with the cam follower 148, closing the bleed valve 56,and thus permitting pressurization of the pressure chamber 158, causingthe pilot valve 58 to return to the upward configuration depicted inFIG. 6. The upward movement of the pilot valve 58, via the plunger 184,places a pivoting force on the lever 174. Because of the mechanicaladvantage provided by the relative moment arms of the lever 174, theforce tending to hold the flow valve 36 opened is overcome, and thelever 174 pivots towards the position depicted in FIG. 6, thus closingthe flow valve 36.

FIG. 8 depicts a preferred embodiment of a central control device 203which includes a plurality of modules 204a-204h, each operatingsubstantially similarly to the manner of operation of the module 204adepicted in FIGS. 6 and 7. As can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, in thepreferred embodiment, each module 204a includes two valve units 206,206', each controlling a water line 34 and each ultimately controlled byits own bleed valve 56 and corresponding cam 126. Preferably, for easeof construction, part of the fluid control line 192' of the lower unit206' passes through a portion of the upper unit 206. As will be apparentto those skilled in the art, modules could also be provided which haveonly a single unit, such as 206, or which have three or more units ineach module.

In a preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the modules are attachedtogether by the compressive force of wing nuts 208a, 208b, 208c, 208dattached to threaded ends of rods 212a, 212b. By tightening the wingnuts 208a, 208b, 208c, 208d, the modules 204a-204h are compressedtogether. In the compressed configuration, various conduits in eachmodule 204 are aligned to form a larger conduit. For example, the waterconduits 114d in modules 204a-204d are aligned, and form a largerconduit as depicted in FIG. 4. In order to provide for leak-freeoperation of the controller, the modules 204a-204h include substantiallyflat faces, at least in the regions which abut with adjoining modules.O-rings are provided between the modules to establish a fluid seal, forexample, between portions of the water conduit 114d. Preferably, the tierods 212a, 212b extend through the conduits 214, as best seen in FIG. 6.Although FIG. 8 depicts two tie rods 212a, 212b, other operableconfigurations can be provided which have only one tie rod or more thantwo tie rods.

Plates 214a-214h define fluid pathways, such as by channels formed onthe underside thereof, as depicted in FIG. 9. These pathways 216 controlthe flow of fluid from each fluid control line 192 to the correspondingbuffer chamber 194 and bleed valve 156, which are contained in the bleedvalve unit 216.

FIG. 9 depicts the underside of the plates 214a-124d, showing a firstset of channels 218a-218d for conveying water from the respectivecontrol fluid lines 192 of the upper units 206 of each of the first fourmodules 204a-204d, to outlets 218a-218d in fluid communication with therespective chambers 194 contained in the bleed valve unit 216.Similarly, channels 218e-218h provide communication between the controlfluid lines 192' for the lower units 206' of the first four modules204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, to outlets 218e-218h leading to the respectivebuffer chambers 194 of the bleed valve unit 216.

Because the valve units are modularized, the depicted device can beexpanded or reduced in size to provide for control of more or fewersprinkler lines by adding or removing modules, such as 204a.

The centrally located apparatus 14 can be housed in a number of possibleconfigurations. In one preferred configuration, the flow valves 36,controller 38, motor 46, and power source 52 are contained in a housing222 which can be positioned at least partially underground forconnection with underground water pipes, as depicted in FIG. 10. Thehousing 222 has a length 222a, a height 222b, and a width 222c.Preferably, the sum of the length, width, and height is less than 10.25times the nominal size of the water inlet pipe 22. Preferably, thevolume of the control apparatus 203, including the union jointsdescribed below, occupies a volume in cubic inches, which is less thanor equal to the nominal size of the flow valves times the sum of 23 plusthe number of flow valves. In the depicted preferred embodiment, themotor controller 48, including a microprocessor 74 and a moisture sensor76, is provided in an above-ground portion 224 connected to the housing222 by a stem 226, which also contains electric wiring 228a, 228b, 228c(FIG. 4), for connection to the motor 46, controllable gear box 132, andcontrollable clutch 128. The computer 74, containing a microprocessor,is enclosed in a hinged box 232 which can be opened using the hinge 234to provide access to a keyboard 236 attached to the computer 74. Thekeyboard 236 allows the user to provide input to the computer 74 tocontrol the timing and operation of the sprinklers.

Preferably, a moisture sensor 76, such as that described above, ismounted over the hinged box 232 and is connected to the computer 74 bywiring 238. The moisture sensor provides a signal to the computer 74when moisture, such as from atmospheric precipitation, is detected.Preferably, the moisture sensor 76 includes a means for removal ofcollected water, such as by evaporation through a wick, to provide anindication of moisture content which is related to the effectivemoisture content of the ground. An overflow tube is provided whichconveys water away from the reservoir after the reservoir is filled to apredetermined level. Holes in the bottom of the reservoir communicatewith the wick, preferably of a sponge-like material, and permit the rateof evaporation from the reservoir to be influenced by both air-flow andsun in order to simulate the evaporation of moisture from the ground.The sponge-like material expands when moistened so that when collectedwater enters the reservoir, the wetted wick expands sufficiently toprevent rapid flow of the collected water through the holes in thebottom of the reservoir. As the wick dries, it contracts sufficiently topermit flow of water through the holes, thus maintaining the wick in awetted condition as long as water remains in the reservoir. In this way,the wick acts as a type of valve, effectively closing the holes in thebottom of the reservoir as long as collected water resides in thereservoir. The above-ground portion 224 can be further provided withdecorative or secondary functional aspects, including a bird feeder (notshown).

As shown in FIG. 11, the housing 222 preferably includes a body portion242 and a removable cap 244 attached to the body portion 242 by, forexample, bolts 246a, 246b. Preferably, openings 248a, 248b are providedin the cap 244 aligned with the set screws 179a, 179b for adjustmentthereof, as described above, without removal of the cap 244. Preferably,as depicted in FIG. 10, the cap 244 is positioned above-ground to permitits ready removal and provide for access to the interior of the housing222 when desired. Access to the interior of the housing might be needed,for example, in order to add, remove, or rotate cams 126 on the camshaft 54 (FIG. 6) or to add or remove modules 204.

In order to facilitate removal of the central control device 203 fromthe housing 222, the connections of the water pipes 34a, 34b with themodules 204 are preferably by way of an angled union joint. As shown inFIG. 12A, the portions of pipe 310, 312 have ends meeting atcomplimentary angles. As best seen in FIG. 12B, the plane 314, definedby the end faces of the pipes 310, 312, is not perpendicular to thecommon longitudinal axis 316 of the pipes 310, 312. The pipes 310, 312can be joined by a variety of means, such as clamps, latches, welding,brazing, and the like. Preferably, they are joined by a joining device,such as a longitudinally movable threaded collar 318 and correspondingthreads 320. By using the angled union joints, the contents of thehousing 222 can be easily disconnected by loosening the screw collars248a, 248b, 248c, 248d, retracting the collars, as shown at 248d. Theunion joints are preferably contained within the housing 222. The unionjoints are configured to provide for ease of disconnect and reconnect ofthe control device to the water line 88 and sprinkler lines 34. Theangled nature of the union joints maintains the apparatus in the properorientation with respect to the water line 88 and sprinkler lines 34during such disconnect and reconnect. Thus, during disconnect, thecollars 318 can be loosened one at a time without the need forsupporting the control device 203 during this operation. Followingloosening of the screw collars 248, the control device 203 can beremoved by lifting the assembly straight upward. If no taper wereprovided, removal of the unit would be difficult because of the need forsupporting the control device 203 during the task of loosening thecollars 248. When the unit is reinstalled in the housing 222, thevarious pipes will be easily and automatically aligned to the properposition, both vertically and laterally. If no taper were provided,replacement of the unit would be difficult because there would be nodevice for aligning the various pipes and for maintaining alignmentwhile tightening the collars. The described advantages of straightupward disassembly and automatic alignment are generally present inangled union joints, and such angled union joints can be used incontexts other than the sprinkler device described.

The angled nature of the union joints is further useful becauseconnection can be easily made by tightening the screw collars 248 whileavoiding damage to the seals 252a, 252b. In previous union joints,typically non-angled, tightening of screw collars subjected seals, suchas 252a, 252b, to abrasion as the pipes being joined were rotated,relative to each other, about their longitudinal axes. Because, in theconfiguration shown, several angled union joints are provided, suchrelative rotation is avoided and thus damage to the seals 252a, 252b isavoided. A union joint can be provided having a locking tab 322 andcorresponding recess 324 (FIG. 12) to assist in preventing such relativerotation. Such a tab 322 is particularly useful in preventing relativerotation when a single pair of angled pipes are to be joined. In theconfiguration shown, in which several angled union joints are provided,the tab 322 additionally assists in alignment of the plurality of unionjoints. Thus, when replacing the unit, the tabs act as stops to positionand maintain alignment of the pipe while tightening the collars.

In operation, and as shown in FIG. 4, upon activation of the motor 46,following a command from the motor controller 48, the cam shaft 54 isrotated from the position depicted in FIG. 4 to a position in which oneof the cams 126 opens one of the bleed valves 56. For purposes ofdiscussion, the operation will be described in a configuration in whichthe bleed valve 56a is opened.

When valve 56a is opened, water from the pressurization chamber of thecorresponding pilot valve 58a is removed through fluid control line 82a,and exits through bleed line 44 through a check valve 84, and is drawnby a Venturi 86 into the generator 66. Because of the depressurizationof the pressure chamber of the pilot valve 58a, the flow valve 36aopens. This permits pressurized water from the inlet 114a to flow out ofthe water line 34a to a sprinkler line similar to the line depicted inFIG. 4. Water from the pressurized water source 22, enters through thepressurized water line 32, and flows through normally opened in-flowcontrol valve 78 through the filter 64 and into the generator 66.Initially, the entire flow of pressurized water entering the generator66 is directed through the jet nozzles 96 to impact the impeller blades98, causing rotation of the generator shaft 102 and creating electricalenergy which is stored in the battery 68, as described above. Thepressurized water then enters into the conduits 114 whence, as describedabove, a portion flows through the flow valve 36a to the sprinkler line.After the generator shaft 102 has accelerated to a minimum rotationalspeed, so that back pressure in the entrance chamber 94 of the generator66 is reduced, the bypass valves 106 open, reducing the generatorpressure drop as discussed above.

In accordance with the programming and data stored in the computer 74,after a predetermined amount of time, the motor 46 rotates the cam shaft54 so as to move the cam 126a away from the corresponding finger 198,thus closing the bleed valve 56a. Thereupon, the pressure chamber of thecorresponding pilot valve 58a is pressurized, causing closure of thecorresponding flow valve 36a, as described above. Rotation of the camshaft 54 by the motor 46 under control of the computer 74 can be used toopen additional bleed valves 56, either sequentially or simultaneouslydepending on the placement and order of the cams 126 on the cam shaft54.

At a time determined by the computer 74, the motor 46 will rotate thecam shaft 54 so as to open the bleed valve 56o, which controls thebackflush valve the inflow valve 78. Opening of the backflush valvepermits flow of water from the backflush conduit 116 through the filter64 in a flow direction opposite the normal flow direction, through thebackflush valve 62 and out the backflush drain 124.

A number of variations and modifications of the described apparatus canbe used. Although the described apparatus includes numerous features,certain of these can be used without employing others. For example, thedescribed centralized feature, or the described modular feature, couldbe used without using a generator and/or the bleed/pilot valve system.Control means other than computer control means could be used, such asmechanical control means, hydraulic control means, and the like. Asystem could be devised which did not include a battery, such as byproviding output from a generator or solar cell directly to the deviceswhich consume energy. Other types of generators could be used in placeof the described generator, such as non-fixed vein generators,reaction-types generators, and the like. Certain aspects of theinvention could be used without providing a generator, such as by usingelectricity generated by solar cells or by using public utility current.Although the described apparatus sends substantially the entire flow ofpressurized water through the generator housing, other devices could beprovided in which the pressurized water flow was split, by sending oneportion of flow to the generator, another to the sprinkler, and yetanother portion to the bleed valve/valve control system, eithersimultaneously or on a time-shared basis. Although the describedembodiment preferably includes a moisture sensor, the system could beprovided without such a moisture sensor or could include a plurality ofmoisture sensors in various locations.

Although the description of the invention has included a description ofthe preferred embodiment and various modifications and variations, othermodifications and variations can also be used within the scope of thepresent invention, the present invention being described by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus usable for distributing water among aplurality of sprinkling lines, comprising:a central control device forreceiving water from a pressurized water source line and controllingoccurrence of a plurality of change-of-state events, without thenecessity for sending electrical signals from said central device tolocations at said sprinkling lines, each change-of-state event selectedfrom the group consisting of initiation of flow of water to at least oneof said plurality of sprinkling lines and cessation of water flow to atleast one of said plurality of sprinkling lines, said control deviceincluding:a plurality of controllable valve means for controlling flowof said water, each of said valve means effecting at least one of saidchange-of-state events; operating means for hydraulically operating saidvalve means, in the absence of electrical activation of said operatingmeans; drivable means for controlling said operating means including acam shaft driven by said drive means an operably connected to saidcontrollable valve means for actuating said valve means; controllabledrive means for driving said drivable means; and electronic computingmeans for programmably controlling said controllable drive means whereinsaid drive means drives said drivable means only during one of saidchange-of-state events.
 2. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid controllable drive means is a stepper motor.
 3. Apparatus, asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said drive means consumes energy only duringsaid change-of-state events.
 4. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1,wherein said operating means comprises at least first and secondcontrollable motors, and said drivable means comprises first and secondcam shafts, wherein said electronic computer means controls both of saidfirst and second controllable motors.
 5. Apparatus, as claimed in claim1, wherein said computing means includes means usable for providing aprogrammed watering schedule, said schedule including pulsed watering,wherein at least one of said plurality of sprinkling lines is operated aprogrammable number of periods of watering per day, said periods ofwatering having a programmable duration.
 6. Apparatus, as claimed inclaim 5, wherein said number of periods per day is between about 10 andabout
 200. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said duration isbetween about five seconds and about one hour.
 8. Apparatus, as claimedin claim 5, wherein said computing means includes means usable forproviding a programmed watering schedule, said watering schedule forprogrammably controlling said controllable drive means over a periodgreater than one year, said watering schedule usable to provide adifferent watering schedule for any two consecutive days in said period.9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said period is about 30years.
 10. Apparatus usable for distributing water among a plurality ofsprinkling lines, comprising:first means for generating electrical powerusing the pressure head of a source of pressurized water which flowsthrough the out of said first means; a controllable electric motor,using said electrical power generated by said first means to providerotational power; a cam shaft, connected to said electric motor forrotation of said cam shaft, said cam shaft having a plurality of cams; aplurality of bleed valves operably connected to said cam shaft by camfollowers, said bleed valves movable from a closed configuration to anopen configuration permitting flow of bleed water, said movement of saidbleed valves being effected by contact of said cams with said camfollowers; a plurality of pilot valves movable from a firstconfiguration to a second configuration, each pilot valve adjacent to acorresponding pressurization chamber wherein pressurization of one ofsaid pressurization chambers maintains said corresponding pilot valve insaid first configuration; means for providing fluid communication topermit flow from each of said pressurization chambers to a correspondingbleed valve, wherein movement of said bleed valve to said openconfiguration depressurizes said pressurization chamber; a plurality offlow valves, each movable from a closed configuration to an openconfiguration permitting throughflow of water from a flow valve inlet toa flow valve outlet; first means for connecting each flow valve to acorresponding pilot valve wherein said means for connecting positionssaid flow valve in said closed position when said pilot valve is in saidfirst position and wherein said means for connecting positions saidpilot valve in said -second position when said flow valve is in saidopen position; second means for connecting said flow valve outlet of atleast a first of said flow valves to at least a first of said pluralityof sprinkling lines; means for controlling said controllable motor toeffect rotation of said camshaft from a first position to a secondposition; wherein said camshaft in said first position permitspositioning of at least a first cam follower in a first position closinga first of said bleed valves, permitting pressurizing of a first of saidpressurization chambers, maintaining a first of said pilot valves insaid first configuration and maintaining said first flow valve in saidclosed configuration; and wherein said camshaft in said second positionpositions said first cam follower in a second position, opening saidfirst bleed valve, depressurizing said first pressure chamber,permitting said flow valve to open and to move said means for connectingto position said pilot valve in said second position.
 11. Apparatus, asclaimed in claim 10, further comprising means for conveying said waterwhich flows out of said means for generating to said flow valve input.12. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 11, wherein said pilot valve is acenter-guide valve further comprising:a center-guide needle extendinglongitudinally from said valve; and a needle guide surrounding a portionof said needle and defining a ring orifice therebetween, said ringorifice providing fluid communication between said pressure chamber anda source of pressurized water, defining a first rate of flow into saidpressurized chamber when said source of pressurized water is at a firstpressure.
 13. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 12, wherein said means forproviding fluid communication has a dimension providing for a flow rateof said flow from said pressure chamber to said bleed valve which isgreater than said first flow rate when said source of pressurized wateris at said first pressure.
 14. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10,further comprising means for conveying said water which flows out ofsaid means for generating to at least a first of said pressurizationchambers.
 15. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, furthercomprising:electric power storage means for storing power generated bysaid means for generating; and means for conveying said stored power tosaid controllable electric motor.
 16. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10,wherein said means for generating said electrical power comprises aturbine generator.
 17. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 16, furthercomprising means for producing at least a first jet of water from saidsource of pressurized water for use in rotating said turbine generator.18. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for connectingeach flow valve comprises a lever pivotable about a first pivot point,having a first portion operably connected to said pilot valve and havinga second portion operably connected to said flow valve.
 19. Apparatus,as claimed in claim 18, wherein:said throughflow contributes a forcetending to maintain said flow valve in said open position; and whereinsaid lever provides a mechanical advantage such that the force requiredto move said pilot valve from said first to said second position is lessthan the force tending to maintain said flow valve in said openposition.
 20. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means forcontrolling comprises a microprocessor.
 21. Apparatus, as claimed inclaim 10, further comprising:means for sensing precipitation and forproviding a signal in response to sensed precipitation; and means forconveying said signal to said means for controlling.
 22. Apparatus, asclaimed in claim 10, further comprising:filter means for filtering saidwater from said pressurized water source by flowing said water throughsaid filter in a first direction; and means for automatically flowingwater through said filter in a direction opposite to said firstdirection to backflush said filter.
 23. Apparatus, as claimed in claim10, further comprising a plenum for receiving said pressurized water,said plenum being in fluid communication with said plurality of flowvalve inlets.
 24. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, further comprisingmeans for conveying said bleed water away from said bleed valves tocombine with at least a portion of said pressurized water. 25.Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pilot valve comprises arolling diaphragm.
 26. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein one ofsaid pilot valve and said flow valve includes:a valve body; a plunger,operably connected to said first means for connecting; and means forresiliently connecting said plunger to said valve body.
 27. Apparatus,as claimed in claim 26, wherein said means for resiliently connectingcomprises at least a first pair of belville spring washers. 28.Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said plurality of pilotvalves each has a diameter, and wherein said plurality of flow valveseach has a diameter, the diameter of each pilot valve being no greaterthan the diameter of said corresponding flow valve.
 29. Apparatus, asclaimed in claim 10, further comprising a single housing, wherein allother components of said apparatus are centralized so as to be containedin said single housing.
 30. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 29, furthercomprising at least a first union joint for connecting said apparatus toat least a first water supply line having a longitudinal axis, and atleast a second union joint for connecting said apparatus to at least afirst sprinkler line having a longitudinal axis.
 31. Apparatus, asclaimed in claim 30, wherein each of said union joints defines a planenon-orthogonal to the axes of said water supply line and sprinkler line.32. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 30, wherein said union joints residewithin said housing.
 33. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 30, wherein saidflow valves have a nominal size and wherein said apparatus occupies avolume, in cubic inches, which is not greater than about nominal size ofsaid flow valves times the sum of the number of flow valves and
 23. 34.Apparatus, as claimed in claim 29, wherein said housing has a width, alength, and a height, and wherein said source of pressurized water is awater line having a nominal size, the sum of said width, said length,and said height being about equal to 10.25×the nominal size of saidwater line.
 35. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, furthercomprising:photoelectric means for producing electrical power fromsunlight; and means for conveying said power produced by saidphotoelectric means to said controllable electric motor.
 36. Ahydraulically actuated nestable valve in a sprinkler system responsiveto computer control having an inlet and outlet comprising incombination:a sprinkler; a valve body having input through said inlet toa high pressure valve plenum within said body; a valve seat definedwithin said body, said valve seat communicating to said high pressurevalve plenum on one side, and having a passage to said valve outlet onthe other side, said valve outlet connected to said sprinkler; a valvedisc for closing over said seat to contain said high pressure waterplenum; hydraulically actuated means including a passage to said highpressure plenum for movement under force to a normally closed positionresponsive to water pressure in said plenum; a computer operativelyconnected to said hydraulically actuated means for controlling saidhydraulically actuated means; a pivot arm between said valve disc on oneside and said hydraulically actuated means on the opposite side, with apivot therebetween for taking said movement under force from saidhydraulically actuated means and closing said valve; and a passagewayfor bleeding pressure from said high pressure plenum from saidhydraulically actuated means to release said force on said arm to permitsaid valve disc to rise, and open said valve seat to permit water flowfrom said plenum to said valve outlet.
 37. A hydraulically actuatednestable valve according to claim 36 and including spring meanscommunicated to said lever arm, to accommodate wear at said valve seatand valve disc.
 38. A hydraulically actuated nestable valve according toclaim 37 and including spring means between said valve disc and arm toaccommodate wear at said seat and disc.
 39. A hydraulically actuatednestable valve according to claim 36 and wherein said hydraulicallyactuated means includes a cylinder, a piston, and a rolling diaphragmconnecting said cylinder and said piston.
 40. A hydraulically actuatednestable valve according to claim 36 and wherein said lever armconnected said valve disc and hydraulically actuated means withleverage.
 41. The invention of claim 40 in which said lever has leveragefor multiplying force from said hydraulically actuated means onto saidvalve disc.
 42. A hydraulically actuated nestable valve computer controland placement in nest relation with like valves, having an inlet andoutlet, all said valves connected to a sprinkler system comprising incombination:a valve body having first and second parallel oppositewalls; a high pressure valve plenum within said body, said plenumcommunicated to first aperture in said first wall and second aperturesin said second wall, said apertures having common relative position tonest with like apertures in like walls; a valve seat defined within saidbody, said valve seat spanning a distance slightly less than thedistance between said valve walls and communicated to said high pressurevalve plenum on one side of said seat, and having a passage to saidvalve outlet on the other side of said seat, said passage being confinedbetween said valve walls outward of said valve body; a sprinklerconnected to each said valve outlet; a valve disc for disposing oversaid seat containing said high pressure water plenum; hydraulicallyactuated means including a passage to said high pressure plenum formovement under force to a normally closed position, responsive to waterpressure in said plenum, said hydraulically actuated means beingdisplaced from said valve seat and disc and nested between said firstand second parallel opposite walls; a computer operatively connected tosaid hydraulically actuated means for actuating said means to controlsaid valve disc; a pivot arm extending substantially parallel to saidwalls between said valve disc on one side, and said hydraulicallyactuated means on the opposite side, with a pivot therebetween fortaking movement under force from said hydraulically actuated means, andclosing said valve; and a passageway for bleeding pressure from saidhigh pressure plenum from said hydraulically actuated means to releaseforce on said arm, and to permit said valve disc to rise, and open saidvalve seat to permit water to flow from said plenum to said valveoutlet, said passageway communicated away from said parallel walls ofsaid valve body.
 43. Generating apparatus for generating electricityplacement across electrically actuated computer controlled sprinklermeans for receiving and routing water to at least one sprinkling lineand sprinkler comprising:first water passage means having an inlet forreceiving water from a pressurized water source and selectably routingat least a portion of said pressurized water to an outlet and then to atleast said first sprinkling line; water actuated rotatable meanscommunicated to the outlet of said means for receiving water from saidpressurized source; means for generating said electric energy to be usedby said electrically actuated means for receiving and routing said waterwhereby said means for generating using a flow of water from saidpressurized water source powers said means for receiving and routing,said means for generating having at least a first phase during whichsaid means for generating is accelerating and a second phase duringwhich said means for generating is rotating at a substantially constantmeans; and means for bypassing said means for receiving wherein saidbypassing means provides a parallel flow path bypassing said wateractuated rotable means during said second phase when said generatingmeans is rotating at a substantially constant velocity whereby flowacross said apparatus is increased between said pressurized water sourceand said at least one sprinkling line; a valve for controlling said atleast one sprinkler responsive to a signal from a computer; and, acomputer powered by said means for generating electricity operativelyconnected to said valve to operate said valve.
 44. A computer actuatedcontrol means for direct overlying connection to a group of nestedvalves at an upper common surface formed in discrete segments by saidnested valves, each said valve having:a common inlet for receiving fluidfrom a pressurized source; a discrete outlet for each said valve; adiscrete segment for forming said upper common surface when said valvesare nested; a hydraulic channel communicated through common locations onsaid discrete segment of said common surfaces of each said valve, saidhydraulic channel communicated to hydraulic actuating means to causefluid to flow between said inlet and outlet of said valve; valve nestingmeans for disposing said side-by-side valves to define said commonsurface with side-by-side discrete segments; computer controlled valvecontrol means including: a valve matrix having a discrete valve for eachsaid hydraulic channel to permit flow through said channel to actuatesaid valve; a computer actuated controlled for controlling said valvematrix to stop and start water to said hydraulic channel; and a channelmatrix for disposition over said common surface defined by said discretesegments of said nested valves having a plurality of channels, each saidchannel including a common point of origin overlying the outlet of saidchannels on said discrete segment forming said common surface, andcommunicated to a discrete valve in said valve matrix at the other end,whereby said control can actuate any one of said group of nested valves.